A recent video has surfaced showing Soviet-era tanks and artillery, including T-34s, IS-2 heavy tanks, and ISU-152 self-propelled howitzers, at a Russian military training ground in Khabarovsk.
These iconic World War II vehicles were reportedly filmed at Russia’s 392nd Training Center.
The footage has drawn attention from defense analysts, with some speculating on the potential reasons behind the presence of this retro armor. Experts believe the World War II equipment is being used primarily for training exercises, rather than direct combat use.
The reappearance of the T-34 and other WWII-era vehicles comes as Russia faces a substantial depletion of its more modern armor stock due to prolonged conflict. While antique T-54, T-55 and T-62 tanks have already been deployed on the Ukrainian battlefield, the presence of these much older models at training sites underscores the scale of equipment losses Moscow has incurred since the start of the invasion. Reports estimate that Russia has lost thousands of tanks, including some of its latest models, in the prolonged hostilities.
Videos have appeared (I cannot verify their accuracy) of military training supposedly starting with the use of special armoured vehicles. The video shows a T-34, an IS-3 tank, and an ISU-152. All machines are from the Second World War.
Earlier, North Korean troops were spotted… https://t.co/IgoPAqq4YQ pic.twitter.com/UFLNFjALFR
— Anton Gerashchenko (@Gerashchenko_en) October 26, 2024
According to defense observers, the reappearance of WWII-era equipment on military grounds may also reflect a shift in how Russia is repurposing its limited resources for tactical and symbolic purposes. For now, these iconic tanks remain relegated to training fields.